Let’s say we have a small but very successful fly rod company with almost 15 years of excellent growth in sales and customer service … with a dedicated factory, engineering and proprietary designs. Add to that the experienced guidance from the likes of Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Ed Jaworowski, Nick Curcione, Jim Teeny, Gary and Wanda Taylor and literally dozens of Advisory Staff members from around the world who have helped us make the right tool for the right job. This mix of engineering and design has proven to be a winner in the highly competitive and discerning fly fishing market.
Now, let’s say we want to expand our focus into the conventional spinning and casting rod markets by applying our excess capacity, distribution and customer service to this sector with the same Affordable – High Performance goals that have helped grow participation in fly fishing.
What single person has both the design experience, the engineering skills and can give us the guidance we need to be successful? Who has experience from use, who shares our passion for the sport of fishing and most importantly the devotion to environment needed for healthy fish populations?
We could only think of one such person and he needs little introduction … Gary Loomis.
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion.. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.” ~ James A. Michener
Since the evolution of carbon fiber rodmaking, Gary has distinguished himself as a Master. He has been immersed in leading edge technology and design that when married, created fishing tools that have satisfied the most demanding of anglers around the world. Beyond his obvious talents, Gary is fully committed to helping us grow participation in fishing. He believes that the Affordable – High Performance approach we have used so successfully in fly fishing combined with our commitment to customer service forms a great base for growth. He wants to advance performance of our rods and he certainly has the know-how to do so.
Gary probably said it best: “All I have ever wanted to do was build the best rods available for everyone to fish. Through TFO, I am able to deliver a true performance rod that once cost three times as much. Working with TFO allows me to put high-quality rods in the hands of potential anglers that otherwise would not have access to this kind of gear. It is these new anglers that through their enjoyment of the sport, will help us protect our threatened fisheries.”
We’ve started production of 28 one and two piece rods in both spinning and casting configurations in 6’, 6 ½’ and 7’ lengths. They will feature single foot guides with gold SIC inserts, skeletonized lower grips and fast/progressive actions. Retail pricing will be $99.95 and availability is expected in early September. Gary’s analysis of the entire process – from blank performance to finish out – has been amazing to see and we expect these rods will be even more amazing to fish.
Please join me in welcoming Gary to our Temple Fork Outfitters family.
Rick Pope
President
Temple Fork Outfitters
